FIFA World Cup 2018: Nigeria 2-0 Iceland - 5 Talking Points

#4 Nigeria's changed system works a treat

John Obi Mikel's performance in midfield was a driving force for Nigeria

Nigerian manager Gernot Rohr was clearly concerned by the obvious weaknesses his team displayed while defending set-pieces against Croatia, so he added more height in the team, with an additional centre-back.

But the change in system to a three-man defense also helped Nigeria in other areas of the pitch. In midfield, it gave more freedom to Oghenekaro Etebo and John Obi Mikel, to move the ball forward and play passes at will.

With Wilfred Ndidi sitting in the base of the Nigerian midfield, it was a strong core for Nigeria, against an Iceland side that sacrificed a midfielder, to play an additional striker.

Aron Gunnarsson was his usual combative self, and Gylfi Sigurdsson tried to play some inventive passes, but more often than not, the Vikings were outnumbered in midfield.

Especially in the second half, with more intensity and desire from the Nigerians, Iceland could not live with the quality and precision of Nigeria's movement, and in the end, that turned out to be the difference between the two sides.